Every time you receive your utility bill, you probably say to yourself that you should finally take action and find ways to save energy at home.
Doing this would help reduce your electricity consumption and in turn, your wallet will thank you for that!
But saving energy is also a crucial action we can take to go green, help the environment and lessen our burden on the planet.
The main problem is that 63% of the world’s electricity comes from fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels cause a variety of environmental issues, including toxic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. And this contributes to global warming!
So it’s important to change our habits now, stop procrastinating, and start saving electricity, and more generally energy, in any way we can!
This is especially true if your electricity provider doesn’t use renewable energy.
If you can change to a green provider, that’s amazing!
But remember that even with green electricity, it still has an impact on the environment. Everything has.
Reducing your energy consumption is thus one of the best things you can do!
To help you take action, here are 22 practical ways to save energy at home!
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22 practical ways to save energy at home
1. Turn off the lights when you leave a room
Let’s start this list with one of the easiest ways to save energy at home!
Get into the habit of always turning off the lights when you leave a room.
It doesn’t require much effort on your part, but it makes a big difference to your energy consumption!
And you’ll quickly get used to doing it without thinking.
2. Use natural lighting when you can
During the day, avoid using artificial lighting when you can.
It’s a small and easy thing we can do to be sustainable every day, yet so important!
The sun gives us free natural light so why not take advantage of it?
If it gets dark when it’s raining, for instance, turn them on but don’t forget to turn them off again when the sun returns.
3. Use energy-efficient devices and appliances
Next time you need a new electronic device or appliance, choose to buy a more energy-efficient one.
A great way to do it is to look for labels such as Energy Star.
Energy Star appliances use a lot less power than most regular ones.
They’ll help reduce your electricity consumption by up to 30% and thus lower your utility bill!
4. Cook with residual heat
This one may not be the most straightforward way to save energy at home, but it’s a great one to be sustainable in the kitchen!
Whether you are using the oven or the stovetop for cooking, turn it off a few minutes before your meal is ready.
You will realize that most of the time, the residual heat is way more than enough to finish cooking.
The oven, the pan or the pot are still very hot, so taking advantage of it will save you electricity!
5. Leave the oven open once you’re done with it
Another tip regarding the oven is to leave it open after you’ve finished using it.
But do not do it in the summer, only when it’s cold out!
It’s a great way to heat your home without using any extra energy.
Instead of closing it, let its residual heat warm your home and turn down the heating for a while.
6. Unplug electronics when not used
Many people aren’t aware of this, but electronics and appliances consume electricity simply by being plugged in. Even when you’re not using them!
That’s called vampire power.
Electronics and appliances consume on average 33% of their total daily energy consumption while being turned off (but plugged in).
So unplug that lamp you rarely use and your chargers when your devices are charged!
7. Wash clothes in cold water
Try to wash your clothes in cold water.
It will clean your clothes as well as hot water, and you’ll be making your wardrobe more sustainable!
It will reduce your electricity consumption, as heating water requires a lot of power!
Another great benefit is that washing clothes in cold water prevents them from shrinking.
And it will extend their life, which saves money and the environment!
8. Avoid using the dryer
If that’s possible for you, do not use the dryer and instead, air-dry your clothes on a line or a drying rack after washing them.
Here again, it will make your clothes last a lot longer!
Dryers are also one of the most energy-hungry appliances in our homes, so avoiding using them will drastically lower your energy bills.
I’ve never owned a dryer, and let me tell you: the smell of air-dried clothes is the best!
Read more: 10 natural and sustainable alternatives to dryer sheets for soft, fresh, and static-free laundry
9. Don’t use the drying setting of your dishwasher
Similarly, consider turning off the drying setting of your dishwasher and letting your dishes air-dry instead.
Open your dishwasher when it’s done washing your dishes and let it sit until everything is dry.
There is no need to use power to dry the dishes when they can dry naturally.
10. Take shorter showers
This tip is especially important to help save water at home!
But as it takes energy to heat water, it is also crucial to try to take shorter showers and install a low-flow showerhead.
Using less (warm) water means that you’ll be consuming less electricity.
Even if it’s spending one minute less in the shower, it’ll still make a difference in the long run and you’re being more eco-friendly in the bathroom!
11. Insulate your home
Having an energy-efficient home is key to saving energy and electricity!
Ask for an energy audit so that you know where there are heat losses and air leaks in your home.
And if you have the financial means, consider insulating your house or apartment.
It will increase its value, and you will save a lot of energy each year because you won’t need to heat or cool it as much.
Even adding insulated thermal curtains to your windows will make a difference!
12. Adjust your thermostat
One of the best ways to save energy at home is to lower your thermostat by a few degrees in the winter.
If it isn’t too cold, why don’t you put a sweater and warm socks on and try to lower the heating?
And in the summer, avoid overusing the air-conditioning.
I prefer opening all the windows in my apartment to create a constant airflow and it makes the whole place cooler without any AC.
13. Turn off the heating and the AC when you’re out
When you leave the house and nobody is inside, do not forget to turn off the AC and the heating.
It is useless to let them on when everyone is out!
If you like coming back to a warm home in the winter, and a cooler one in the summer, you can use a timer on your thermostat.
Program it to turn on the heating or the AC half an hour before you come back.
Doing this will prevent a lot of energy from being wasted!
14. Install LED lights
Next time a lightbulb dies, replace it with a LED one! They’re the most sustainable option out there!
They’re so much more energy-efficient compared to incandescent light bulbs, so they will lower your electricity bill.
Not to mention that most LED lights last for 25,000 hours, which is 20 times longer than the lifetime of an incandescent light!
15. Defrost your fridge and freezer
I find we don’t speak about this tip enough!
Using a fridge and a freezer means that at some point, ice will start accumulating inside them.
As a result, your fridge and freezer will need more energy to function properly, which increases your electricity bill.
I recommend that you get rid of that layer of ice at least every six months so that you do not waste any energy.
16. Clean the back of your fridge
Speaking of fridges, pull yours away from the wall and vacuum all the dust that has accumulated on the coils of your fridge.
It will help it work more efficiently and save energy!
When putting it back in place, leave a few inches between the fridge and the wall so that the air can circulate.
Also, make sure it’s not near a heating source like your stovetop!
17. Insulate your hot water boiler and lower its temperature
A more advanced way to save energy at home is to insulate your boiler and its water pipes with insulation materials or blankets!
That way, you prevent any heat loss from happening, which can account for around a fourth of a boiler’s total power use.
You may also consider turning its temperature down to 140°F (60°C). Having it set to its highest temperature isn’t necessary for most homes!
18. Turn off your devices instead of leaving them on standby
When you’re done working, remember to turn your computer off.
Nowadays, it’s very quick to turn on a computer, so why let it on when not in use and waste energy?
The same principle applies to other electronics and appliances, such as printers and gaming consoles.
It’s also very easy to leave the TV in the background without even watching it.
When you catch yourself doing this, turn it off so that you can save a lot of energy and reduce your electricity bill!
19. Use your washing machine and dishwasher when they’re full
Making sure your washing machine and dishwasher are full before using them will make you use them less frequently.
This means that you’ll consume a lot less energy in the long run compared to if you run them with only half a load.
The same applies if you have a dryer!
20. Use the eco setting on your devices
Big appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers also often have an “eco” setting.
Choosing it will generally mean that your appliance will work more efficiently, saving water and energy.
I find that the eco setting might take a bit more time, but if you’re not rushed, why not use it next time you have the chance to?
21. Try some activities that do not require electricity
A more unusual way to save energy at home is to try activities and hobbies that do not require you to use energy.
For instance, instead of watching TV in the evening, why don’t pick a book and read for a bit? Or play a board game with your family?
Even if it’s only doing that from time to time, you will save electricity and in the long run, it will add up!
22. Bonus tip: reduce your overall consumption of stuff
I include this one as a bonus tip because it will not directly make you save energy at home.
But it will help save energy during the production process because you won’t be contributing so much to the demand to create new things!
It takes a lot of energy to produce things like clothes, books, furniture, toys, and electronics.
Nowadays, we need electricity to produce everything.
So stopping impulse buying, and reducing the number of new things we buy will help save energy mainly in the early stages of the supply chain.
And this will greatly benefit the environment!
There you go! I hope you could learn some helpful tips with this list of 22 practical ways to save energy at home!
Energy conservation isn’t very hard. It requires taking a few simple actions and they all add up in the long run.
This means that we will need fewer fossil fuels to run power plants, so we do not contribute as much to the depletion of the Earth’s resources.
Not to mention that less greenhouse gas is being released into the atmosphere, so we aren’t contributing as much to global warming either.
Saving energy will not only be beneficial for the planet, but you will also find that you’ll be saving a lot of money!
Your utility bills should be a lot lower and your wallet will thank you for that!
What are your favorite ways to save energy at home?
Let’s share them with us!
Thanks for sharing all these tips. I also suggest using ceiling fans to reduce your reliance on air conditioning and lower your energy consumption. Ceiling fans can improve AC system efficiency by enhancing air circulation, allowing for more even distribution of conditioned air and reducing the load on the HVAC system.
I love this tip, thanks for sharing!
Good addition! In the summer, set the fan to rotate counterclockwise to improve air circulation and reduce the need for air conditioning. During winter, change the fan’s direction to clockwise to redistribute warm air in your home. This action can enhance the efficiency of your heating system and potentially decrease energy usage.
I had no idea we could do that. Thank you so much for your tip to save energy!
Thank you for your valuable tips.
As for the thermostat, in summer, set it to 78 degrees when you’re at home and to at least 80 degrees if your home is vacant for more than a few hours.
This will help you save more energy on cooling.
Love your tip, thank you for sharing! It will help out many people! 😀
That’s a valuable addition. Consider keeping your heating system lower for at least 8 hours, such as during your workday or at night. This can reduce your heating bill by around 10%.
Thank you, that’s a great tip! 😀
Thank you for sharing these tips on how to reduce energy use.
I would like to suggest the use of rugs and carpets as an additional method. In addition to creating a cozy and warm atmosphere, they can also help in retaining heat by preventing warmth from escaping through any holes and cracks in wooden floors. This, in turn, can lead to a reduction in heating bills by up to 10%. Strategically placing these rugs in areas where you spend a significant amount of time or along walkways can maximize their benefits.
That’s so true, thank you so much for your suggestion!
To improve your home’s insulation, consider installing thermally broken steel windows, which were specifically designed to significantly improve insulation in your home, which is great for keeping your energy bills down.
Thanks for your tip! 🙂